The Art of Discovery

Almost two centuries after Charles Darwin set sail on the Beagle, designers Jennifer and Mark Berlinger transformed their own voyage of discovery into a work of art. Fascinated with the connection between ancient fossils they discovered on the beach and the living creatures of today, they began to research the vast family of life on earth. Discovering most of the available charts were either too academic or oversimplified, they applied their creativity to create this beautiful piece.

This high quality, hand signed giclée print is filled with the broad spectrum of life on earth. Bacteria, fungi, insects, mammals and more are rendered in watercolor with startling detail. The limbs of an ancient tree help guide the eyes through the related families, helping observers of all ages visually explore the connections and differences between each. A timeline along the side illustrates how long ago each new branch appeared. The illustration is thoroughly researched, and based on the most up-to-date scientific understanding, but truly reveals the exquisite beauty that grows throughout the diversity of life.

The print is hand signed and made individually on German etching paper, using rich, 200-year archival inks. It is available in a custom-mounted, walnut scoop frame, accented with off-white archival mat board that is FSC-certified for environmentally responsible production. Made in Westtown, Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Berlinger

Jennifer Berlinger was inspired to create this art after her children found fossils while vacationing in England. Unable to find a "tree of life" that would help them understand what they had found and its place in earth's history, they decided to create their own. The summer day project turned into two years of research! Wanting to show the beauty of the science, they combined the family's interest in antique prints with Jennifer's background in graphic design and watercolors.
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